Slideshow: Spurs Hall of Famer George Gervin

Many people know San Antonio’s George Gervin as founder of the George Gervin Youth Center and as an ambassador for the Spurs and for the NBA.

But back before ESPN, the Alamodome and the AT&T Center, fans flocked to see Gervin play in the HemisFair Arena as one of the fledgling Spurs’ first stars of the ABA and then NBA.

Photo: Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press

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George "The Iceman" Gervin hands the Western Conference trophy to owner Peter Holt during the award presentation following their win Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Grizzlies on May 27, 2013, in Memphis. San Antonio won 93-86 to advance to the NBA finals. less

George "The Iceman" Gervin hands the Western Conference trophy to owner Peter Holt during the award presentation following their win Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Grizzlies on May 27, ... more

Photo: Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press

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George Gervin 1974-75 Topps rookie card. Gervin was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

George Gervin 1974-75 Topps rookie card. Gervin was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

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George Gervin (44) of the San Antonio Spurs. Gervin was All-NBA first team five times and All-NBA second team twice.

George Gervin (44) of the San Antonio Spurs. Gervin was All-NBA first team five times and All-NBA second team twice.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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George Gervin lays up a finger roll. Gervin was an ABA All-Star three times, NBA All-Star nine times and NBA All-Star MVP in 1980.

George Gervin lays up a finger roll. Gervin was an ABA All-Star three times, NBA All-Star nine times and NBA All-Star MVP in 1980.

Photo: EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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George Gervin lays up a finger roll in 1979. George Gervin was a four-time NBA scoring champion.

George Gervin lays up a finger roll in 1979. George Gervin was a four-time NBA scoring champion.

Photo: Steve Campbell / EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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George Gervin lays up a finger roll against at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio.

George Gervin lays up a finger roll against at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio.

Photo: CORLISS HUDSON / EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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George Gervin of the Spurs poses for a portrait in 1982.

George Gervin of the Spurs poses for a portrait in 1982.

Photo: NBA Photos / NBAE/Getty Images

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George Gervin and his finger roll helped the San Antonio Spurs survive, first in the ABA and then in the NBA.

George Gervin and his finger roll helped the San Antonio Spurs survive, first in the ABA and then in the NBA.

Photo: STEVE CAMPBELL / EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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The Spurs' George Gervin (left) and Billy Paultz play defense on the Nets' Julius Erving during a 1975-76 ABA game.

The Spurs' George Gervin (left) and Billy Paultz play defense on the Nets' Julius Erving during a 1975-76 ABA game.

Photo: EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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The Spurs' George Gervin splits the defense of the Nets' Julius Erving (left) and Rich Jones (33) during a regular-season ABA game against New York at HemisFair Arena on March 5, 1976.

The Spurs' George Gervin splits the defense of the Nets' Julius Erving (left) and Rich Jones (33) during a regular-season ABA game against New York at HemisFair Arena on March 5, 1976.

Photo: EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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The Spurs' George Gervin grabs a rebound during Game 6 of the ABA semifinal playoff series with the New York Nets on April 21, 1976.

The Spurs' George Gervin grabs a rebound during Game 6 of the ABA semifinal playoff series with the New York Nets on April 21, 1976.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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George Gervin scores on Julius Erving in 1981

George Gervin scores on Julius Erving in 1981

Photo: Express-News file photo

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George Gervin drives against San Diego's Scott English in 1975.

George Gervin drives against San Diego's Scott English in 1975.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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George Gervin and Tom Owens go after a rebound in this undated file photo.

George Gervin and Tom Owens go after a rebound in this undated file photo.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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The Spurs' George Gervin (44) tries to fend off the defense of the Nets' Brian Taylor during the first quarter of Game 7 of the 1976 ABA semifinal playoff series with New York. The Spurs lost the best of seven series 4-3. less

The Spurs' George Gervin (44) tries to fend off the defense of the Nets' Brian Taylor during the first quarter of Game 7 of the 1976 ABA semifinal playoff series with New York. The Spurs lost the best of seven ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Spurs star George Gervin drives around Julius Erving in 1975 at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio.

Spurs star George Gervin drives around Julius Erving in 1975 at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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George Gervin 44 of the Spurs defends against John Havlicek 17 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1978 at the Boston Garden.

George Gervin 44 of the Spurs defends against John Havlicek 17 of the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1978 at the Boston Garden.

Photo: Dick Raphael / NBAE/Getty Images

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"The Sound of the Spurs," performed at Spurs games at HemisFair Arena in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, pose with George Gervin.

"The Sound of the Spurs," performed at Spurs games at HemisFair Arena in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, pose with George Gervin.

Photo: Courtesy / San Antonio Express-News

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George Gervin played one season for the Chicago Bulls.

George Gervin played one season for the Chicago Bulls.

Photo: FILE PHOTO

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Basketball player George Gervin.

Basketball player George Gervin.

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George "The Ice Man" Gervin of the Spurs poses for a portrait in San Antonio in 1996.

George "The Ice Man" Gervin of the Spurs poses for a portrait in San Antonio in 1996.

Photo: Andy Hayt / NBAE/Getty Images

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Detroit Dogs coach George Gervin spins a basketball during a news conference in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000, where a new men's professional basketball league, ABA 2000, was introduced.

Detroit Dogs coach George Gervin spins a basketball during a news conference in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000, where a new men's professional basketball league, ABA 2000, was introduced.

Photo: NICK UT / Associated Press

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After his playing days were over, George Gervin coached the Detroit Dogs in the ABA 2000 league. His brother, Derrick Gervin (left) played on the team.

After his playing days were over, George Gervin coached the Detroit Dogs in the ABA 2000 league. His brother, Derrick Gervin (left) played on the team.

Photo: Bob Owen / Express-News

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George Gervin (left) Coach of the Detroit Dogs, shares a light moment with his players during a practice in Detroit. At right is Jerry Lee, assistant coach and former high school teammate of Gervin.

George Gervin (left) Coach of the Detroit Dogs, shares a light moment with his players during a practice in Detroit. At right is Jerry Lee, assistant coach and former high school teammate of Gervin.

Photo: BOB OWEN / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Former Spurs' player George Gervin part in the Spurs' championship victory parade on June 17, 2007, at the River Center Lagoon.

Former Spurs' player George Gervin part in the Spurs' championship victory parade on June 17, 2007, at the River Center Lagoon.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Former Spurs George Gervin competes in the Haier Shooting Stars at NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Former Spurs George Gervin competes in the Haier Shooting Stars at NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE/Getty Images

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George Gervin speaks with the media at the George Gervin Roast at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

George Gervin speaks with the media at the George Gervin Roast at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY / SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sits with former player George "Iceman" Gervin during a scrimmage at the AT&T Center, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sits with former player George "Iceman" Gervin during a scrimmage at the AT&T Center, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.

Photo: JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News

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U.S. basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin spins the ball as Indian students watch at a coaching clinic in Mumbai, India on Feb. 24, 2011. Gervin visited Mumbai and New Delhi as part of a sports envoy program of the U.S. Department of State and the NBA. less

U.S. basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin spins the ball as Indian students watch at a coaching clinic in Mumbai, India on Feb. 24, 2011. Gervin visited Mumbai and New Delhi as part of a sports envoy program ... more

Photo: Rafiq Maqbool / Associated Press

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The Spurs' David Robinson and Nets' Jason Kidd get together with George "The Iceman" Gervin and Julius "Dr. J" Erving for a ceremonial jump ball prior to the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals June 4, 2003. The Spurs defeated the Nets 101-89. less

The Spurs' David Robinson and Nets' Jason Kidd get together with George "The Iceman" Gervin and Julius "Dr. J" Erving for a ceremonial jump ball prior to the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals June 4, 2003. The ... more

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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NBA legend George Gervin of the Spurs greets Marine Sgt. Alejandro Del Rio of San Antonio during a visit at the Bethesda Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., on April 29, 2005. Del Rio, 22, was injured in Iraq.

NBA legend George Gervin of the Spurs greets Marine Sgt. Alejandro Del Rio of San Antonio during a visit at the Bethesda Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., on April 29, 2005. Del Rio, 22, was injured in Iraq.

Photo: SUSAN WALSH / Associated Press

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Former Spur George Gervin greets his guest, Alex Del Rio, a San Antonian who was injured while serving in Iraq, before Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center on June 21, 2005.

Former Spur George Gervin greets his guest, Alex Del Rio, a San Antonian who was injured while serving in Iraq, before Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the SBC Center on June 21, 2005.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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NBA Legend George Gervin is seen during the NBA Legends shootout during the 2007 NBA All-Star weekend at NBA Jam Session Center Court on February 15, 2007 in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

NBA Legend George Gervin is seen during the NBA Legends shootout during the 2007 NBA All-Star weekend at NBA Jam Session Center Court on February 15, 2007 in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Photo: Joe Murphy / NBAE/Getty Images

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With the roar of the crowd, Spurs' legend George Gervin raises his arms to receive the applause as former players were honored at half-time of the Spurs-SuperSonics game on Apri 10, 1998.

With the roar of the crowd, Spurs' legend George Gervin raises his arms to receive the applause as former players were honored at half-time of the Spurs-SuperSonics game on Apri 10, 1998.